Chris Getz continues to put his stamp on the White Sox organization, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that he’s not just tweaking the roster-he’s reshaping it from top to bottom. Since taking over as GM, Getz has leaned hard into a modernized, analytics-driven approach, a noticeable shift from the Rick Hahn era. He’s added new roles focused on player development and scouting, signaling a front office that’s not just reacting to trends but actively trying to get ahead of them.
Part of that overhaul has meant parting ways with players tied to the previous regime. In fact, not a single player remains from the 2021 team that won the AL Central.
That turnover hasn’t stopped at the major league level-it’s extended deep into the farm system. The latest example?
DJ Gladney, once a top-30 prospect in the White Sox system, is now headed to the Yankees on a minor league deal.
Gladney, a 16th-round pick in 2019, spent six seasons in the White Sox organization. He reached as high as No. 24 on the team’s prospect list back in 2021, showing flashes of potential along the way. His journey through the minors included stops in Kannapolis, Winston-Salem, and Birmingham, logging over 140 games with the Barons alone.
The Illinois native had his moment in the spotlight in 2024, delivering a walk-off hit to clinch the Southern League Championship for Birmingham. That postseason run capped off a strong stretch for Gladney, who hit .278 with 6 home runs and 18 RBIs in just 24 games after being promoted to Double-A.
But sustaining that momentum proved challenging. In 2025, Gladney posted a .235/.277/.368 slash line in 100 games with the Barons, adding 10 homers and 45 RBIs.
Solid numbers, but not quite enough to secure his spot in an organization clearly pivoting toward a new direction. With his performance plateauing and his ties to the previous front office, Getz made the call to let him walk in minor league free agency.
Now, Gladney gets a fresh start in the Yankees system. He’ll be looking to re-establish himself in a new organization, and while the climb is steep, he’s shown before that he can rise to the occasion when the lights are brightest.
For the White Sox, this move is just another chapter in a broader transformation. Getz isn’t just building a roster-he’s building a philosophy. And as the organization continues to evolve, expect more moves that reflect that vision.